Fairbanks, AK

Nestled in the heart of Alaska, Fairbanks is a choice wildlife-watching locale. Outdoor enthusiasts are lured with frequent sightings of moose, caribou, bears, bald eagles and other species, as well as with boating, fishing and kayaking in the Chena and Tanana rivers. At the University of Alaska Museum of the North, guests can delve into the Last Frontier's natural and cultural history among the 2.2 million artifacts and specimens, including Blue Babe, a nearly 50,000-year-old mummified steppe bison. Those looking for gold rush insight can find it at local working mines, where you can try your hand at gold panning after stories of the profession's past. Log cabin facades host shops and eateries at the 44-acre Pioneer Park, which also touts rides on a historic sternwheeler boat and narrow-gauge train. Fairbanks is a prime jumping-off point for excursions to the Arctic Circle and Denali National Park & Preserve.

Language: English
Currency: US dollar (US$)